Westmeath man caught driving by drugs unit in possession of cannabis escapes conviction

A man in his 30s who was caught driving in Mullingar while in the possession of cannabis has avoided a conviction after making a donation to the court poor box.

Lorcan Hogg (34) Kilhugh, Castletown Geoghegan, Westmeath, pleaded guilty to a section 3 drugs charge at Mullingar District Court last week.

Mr Hogg’s guilty plea followed an incident on the C-Link Road, Mullingar, County Westmeath on September 22, 2024.

Sgt Orla Keenan said Mr Hogg had been pulled in by officers attached to the Westmeath Divisional Drugs Unit.

She said gardaí became suspicious on speaking to Mr Hogg as a “strong smell” of cannabis could be found coming from inside the vehicle.

Sgt Keenan said Mr Hogg handed over a pouch that contained a quantity of the drug; that led to a summons being issued against him.

It was also stated Mr Hogg said the drug was for personal use and he had been cooperative with gardaí throughout the incident and thereafter.

Sgt Kenny said Mr Hogg had one previous conviction, from July 2021, which led to a - year disqualification.

Ross Nestor, BL, said his client had been found with a “very small quantity” of cannabis and on the basis of the assistance provided to gardaí, he asked the court to adopt as much leniency as possible in passing sentence.

He said Mr Hogg had attended court with €300 as a donation, a figure Judge Bernadette Owens said was €50 short of the required sum the court requires of defendants.

Following a brief consultation, Mr Hogg handed over €350 to the court poor box.

As she struck out the summons, Judge Owens told Mr Hogg the court was giving him a chance that he “won’t get again”.